Over 24 000 people have signed a petition to save Dinokeng Game Reserve lions from euthanasia. Image: Pixabay.
Petition launched to save Dinokeng Game Reserve lions from euthanasia
The Dinokeng Game Reserve applied for a permit to euthanise lions who mauled an employee to death. A petition against this has been launched.
Over 24 000 people have signed a petition to save Dinokeng Game Reserve lions from euthanasia. Image: Pixabay.
A petition has been launched against euthinising three lions who mauled to death an employee at the Dinokeng Game Reserve in Hammanskraal, Gauteng.
Johannes Matshe, 30, was attacked and mauled to death by lions on Sunday night, 13 August.
DINOKENG GAME RESERVE LIONS MAUL EMPLOYEE TO DEATH
As previously reported by The South African, the game reserve said the man was attacked and mauled to death by lions while trying to navigate the reserve on foot after dark which is strictly prohibited at night or at anytime in accordance with regulations.
The employee was only discovered on Monday, 14 August when the fencing team from the reserve discovered what appeared to be human remains.
The reserve also confirmed that it has applied for a permit from the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment to euthanise three lions that mauled Matshe to death.
The reserve said the decision regarding the fate of the lions was taken considering the emotional tragedy suffered by the late employee’s family, friends as well as several discussions with subject matter experts among other reasons.
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PETITION LAUNCHED GAINS MOMENTUM
The petition was launched by an individual named Dif Los in order to save the lions has been signed by over 24 000 people.
Los said the Dinokeng Reserve Management have rigid rules in place with regards to pedestrian movement within the park.
“Last Sunday night, a man chose to not wait for his employer to drive him from the reserve gate to his place of residence/work situated within the park. He had a momentary lapse of judgement, as we all do sometimes, and decided to take the chance at walking. The group of male lions attacked him. A tragic error in judgement on his part, ending his life and subsequently placing the lions lives in danger as well,” the author said.
Furthermore, Los said despite there being no definitive evidence of the lions being any more deadly to humans after tasting human flesh, there is a call to have them euthanised.
“This is not how most larger game reserves would necessarily handle the situation, but it would seem their lives may possibly hinge on the mercy of this petition. Not taking away from the human tragedy, Lions were being lions and must now die for that?”
